- Open Skype by clicking on its icon.
- Enter your Skype username and password in the box that appears:
Once you have logged into Skype, you can chat and make calls.
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How to Call or Chat with another Skype User:
It is free to call or chat with other people who are using Skype at the same time.
- Log in to Skype.
- Click on Contacts in the sidebar. This will show you a list of your saved Contacts, and who is online and ready to chat:
To call a Skype contact for free, click on the green Call button. You also have the option of sending an instant message:
- To have a video conversation, you must have a webcam and microphone set up.
- Note: You and the person you are trying to call must have an Online status. To change your status, click the small icon next to your picture and name in the upper left corner of the window. Your Contacts can't see you or talk to you if your status is set to Invisible or Offline.
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To add a new Skype contact:
- Click on the
button. Then, type the name or email address of the Skype user you're looking for and click Find. - You can also click Search Options to narrow down your search.
- To add a phone number to your Contact List, enter the name, country, and phone number and then click Save Number:
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How to Use Skype to Call a Phone:
You can use Skype to call any phone or cell phone number, and send text messages to cell phones and landline phones. However, you must buy Skype Credit first.
To buy Skype Credit:
- Log in to your Skype Account.
- Go to the Skype Credit page on their website. (Note: You can change the language at the top of the site where it says
.) - Click on the
button and buy the amount of credit that you need. (Note: Skype Credit cannot be refunded after you buy, so it's a good idea to buy a small amount to start with. To see the rates for international calls, go to Skype's Prices page.)
After you have purchased some Skype Credit, you will be able to call phones, cell phones, send text messages to cell phones, and more.
To make a call to a phone or cell phone:
- After logging in, click on the Dialpad button
to bring up the number pad. - Click on the blue S icon and select the country of the number you want to call from the drop-down list.
To dial, enter the phone number on the keypad, then click the green Call icon on the bottom right side of the window to call.
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Things to Keep in Mind
- When you are using Skype in the computer lab it is polite to use a headset with a microphone. Otherwise your conversation will be shared with everyone around you, and might bother people around you.
- Skype is not a replacement for a regular phone and cannot be used to make emergency calls.
For more information and tutorials, see the Skype Website.